Reichstag (institution) facts for kids
The Reichstag was the name for the German parliament for many years. A parliament is a group of people who make laws for a country. The Reichstag existed during different times in German history. These included the Holy Roman Empire, the North German Confederation, the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich until 1945.
From 1894 to 1933, the Reichstag met in a special building called the Reichstag building. Today, the German parliament is called the Bundestag.
Contents
What is a Parliament?
A parliament is a very important part of a country's government. It is a group of elected people who represent the citizens. Their main job is to create and change laws. They also discuss important issues and decide how the country's money should be spent.
How Parliaments Work
Members of a parliament are usually chosen by the people in elections. This means citizens vote for who they want to represent them. Once elected, these members meet regularly to do their work. They debate new ideas for laws and vote on them. If a new law gets enough votes, it becomes official.
History of the Reichstag
The name "Reichstag" has been used for a long time in German history. It means "Imperial Diet" or "Imperial Assembly." It was not always the same kind of parliament. Its power and how it worked changed a lot over the centuries.
Early Beginnings
The very first Reichstags were meetings of important leaders in the Holy Roman Empire. These meetings started in the Middle Ages. Kings, princes, and religious leaders would come together to discuss big decisions for the empire. They did not have regular elections like parliaments today.
The German Empire Reichstag
After Germany became a united country in 1871, the Reichstag became a modern parliament. It was part of the German Empire. People could vote for members of this Reichstag. However, the Emperor still had a lot of power. The Reichstag could pass laws, but the Emperor could often overrule them.
The Weimar Republic Reichstag
After World War I, Germany became a republic. This new government was called the Weimar Republic. The Reichstag during this time was much more powerful. It was the main law-making body. Its members were elected by all adult citizens, including women for the first time. This was a very important step for democracy in Germany.
The Reichstag Under Nazi Rule
In 1933, the Nazi Party came to power. They quickly took away the Reichstag's power. The Reichstag building was badly damaged by a fire in 1933. After this, the Reichstag stopped being a real parliament. It only met a few times to approve decisions made by the Nazi leaders. It was no longer a place where different ideas were debated.
The Reichstag Building
The famous Reichstag building is in Berlin, the capital of Germany. It was finished in 1894. It has a grand design with a large dome. For many years, it was the home of the German parliament.
Damage and Rebuilding
The building was badly damaged during the 1933 fire and even more during World War II. For many years after the war, it was not fully used. After Germany was reunified in 1990, the building was completely rebuilt. A new glass dome was added to the top.
From Reichstag to Bundestag
After World War II, Germany was divided. West Germany created a new parliament called the Bundestag. When Germany became one country again in 1990, the Bundestag moved back into the rebuilt Reichstag building in Berlin.
Today, the Bundestag is the main parliament of Germany. It is where elected representatives work to make laws and govern the country. The historic Reichstag building is now the modern home of Germany's democracy.
